Both will be joining former Kent County judicial candidate Bryan Down, Esq. Attorney Bryan C. Downs has been a dedicated cyclist for the Equal Parenting Bike Trek in both 2008 and 2009. There are three confirmed cyclists for the 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek, with an additional select few who will be joining Robb, Robert and Bryan during the 700 + miles cycling trek for parental rights.

The 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek will be departing from Lansing Michigan and will pedal through both the Lower and Upper peninsulas of Michigan in support of a child's right to be loved, guided, nurtured and educated by both fit and willing parents.

Stay tuned for more information on this incredible equal parenting event!

October 04, 2008

Every blog post, guest opinion and letter to the editor written by parental advocates bring the same request: "HELP ME." The request that should be asked is: "I want to become involved in this fight. My family and my children and I have been wronged by Michigan's family law court system. I want this abuse to stop, and I want to help."

EVERYONE is either personally affected by this judicial abuse, or has a relative, friend, neighbor, or co-worker who is. If you do not, you are in a very small minority.

What can you do to become involved in this struggle?

Become ACTIVE and INVOLVED. How?

FIRST- TELL TWO PEOPLE, EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, AND YOUR FAMILY. Tell this to your family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

SECOND-WRITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. Start with your state representative, state senator, and the governor. Do NOT just email or call them. WRITE them an actual letter, and KEEP WRITING them, even after you have received any reply. You can then move on to your county commissioner. Do NOT give up after one or two letters. Be PERSISTANT, and DEMAND answers as to why the abuses continue.

THIRD-WRITE YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER, TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS. Tell them the abuses inflicted upon your family, your children, and yourself by our family law court system. Ask them to investigate and report the abuse. Again, BE PERSISTANT!!

FOURTH-WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of your local newspaper. Make public the abuses inflicted upon your family and yourself. Once you have a letter printed, use it as a building block, and continue writing them.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TELL AND WRITE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ABOUT?

1. Michigan's family law court system is inflicting child abuse daily by removing a loving, fit, able, and willing parent from the lives of his or her children.

2. Under the financial rewards and incentives of Social Security Title IV-D, every state receives MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to strip parents from the life of their children. These taxpayer dollars come from the pockets of EVERY taxpayer in the U.S.

3. Your local Friend of the Court is the first step in the cycle of abuse. A FOC Conciliator will recommend which parent is to be custodial, and which will be non-custodial. The facts of the individual case do not matter, and the FOC will choose what, if anything, they truly investigate.

4. False allegations of domestic violence are commonly used by one party to try to gain an advantage in a custody situation. The system encourages this, and often rewards a custodial parent for making such fradulent claims, without any proof or evidence.

5. PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME is real. It is NOT a fable. Children ARE being alienated and torn from a parent by the other, to reap the rewards of child custody, child support, desiring to harm the other parent regardless of the consequences to their child(ren), and an insane need to completely control their child's life, regardless of the other parent's necessary and essential input.

These are just some of the issues you can speak with others and write about. Educate yourself on these topics if you are not already fully informed on them. The truth and the facts are publicly available.

Do NOT continue to sit there, cry, and complain. Do NOT just try to get some relief from your personal case and then stop your activities-the system will continue, and any relief will be short-lived.

Only with CONSISTANT and PERSISTANT action and involvement will the abuses ever be corrected.

YOU must choose-will you continue to sit idly by, and continue to be part of the problem, or will you become an active and involved paticipant in this fight, and strive to be a part of the solution?

The suggestions I listed above are just a part of what you can do and should be doing. I have done all of these, and much beyond.

October 02, 2008

Dave Taylor of Oakland County Speaks of the corruption at the Friend of the Court. He let us know that the Friend of the Court has championed new laws in Michigan that will help create a greater intrusion into the family and larger money stream for them. Learn about Title IV-D incentives Learn about the benefits of shared parenting.

If you think child custody determinations are fair in Michigan you MUST watch this video with Carol Rhodes speaking on the Michigan Friend of the Court.

Dads and Moms of Michigan, the Family Rights Coalition, A Child’s Right, Children Need Both Parents, Fathers for Equal Rights, Fathers-4-Justice and Children’s Rights Council invite you to join us in defense of the traditional American family at this historic rally at our State Capitol during Equal Parents Week.

Over 40% of Michigan’s population is being micro-managed by the family court system with disastrous consequences to our children, families and the state economy. Help transform Michigan from a wasteland of broken families into a promised land of healthy families and community renewal. House Bill 4564, a bill to ensure equal parental responsibility, will result in a presumption of joint custody for fit parents and equal access for children to both their mother and father. Another hearing on this bill is expected this fall if enough public desire is expressed. 2008-House Joint Resolution NN Fundamental Parental Rights constitutional amendment has been supported by 80 representatives but has not had a hearing. It too will be supported and discussed at the rally and needs your attention. Your attendance at this rally will send a strong message in support of HB 4564 and HJR-NN will serve as a demonstration of our will to be equal and have parental rights to our children.

The Equal Parents Week Rally has been organized to bring to the attention of our legislature, our executive branch, our judiciary and the general public that Equal Parental rights are a civil rights issue whose time has come. America’s success was built on strong family bonds and the recognition that both a mother and a father are essential to raising healthy, moral and well adjusted children. Rally speakers will include nationally-known family advocates, legislators, VIPs, community leaders and parents.

• Contact your legislator to show your support for HB4564 and HJR-NN. Primary signs and literature will be provided by the rally organizers. • Print a map, car pool and plan to arrive before 11:00 am for assembly or 10:00 am for setup if you are bring. • Bring change for meter parking or consult the maps for the location of a public parking structure. • Dress for the weather with walking shoes and bring a water bottle. • Bring personal signs, pictures, and regalia.

Need people to use the Lansing area white and yellow pages and invite people to show up. Also let us know if you know any band who would like to perform some tunes for free. Need you to print out or have printed some parental rights and equal parenting handouts to give out. Does anyone have tables they want to setup for material?

September 19, 2008

However, the second sentence in Section 1 is of relevance to this post: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws".

Please read that sentence again.

The Fourteenth Amendment was drafted and ratified a long time ago, and was done for very specific reasons.

Maybe all of these judicial bureaucrats, elected and otherwise, have forgotten the Oath of Office that they all swore to uphold. At least, all of them were SUPPOSED to sign and swear to an oath supporting the Constitution of The United States, and that of the state in which they are taking office or appointment.

Why, then, are the 14th Amendment rights of EVERY parent and EVERY child in nearly EVERY child custody hearing in Michigan violated and ignored?

Even the U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of Troxel vs. Granville (2000), has upheld the liberty interests of parents. Justice O'Connor stated, in The Court's opinion, "the liberty interest at issue...the interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental interests recognized by this Court", and "it cannot now be doubted that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects the fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children."

Family law judges have sworn to uphold the Constitution of this country.

THEY HAVE FAILED.

Citizens of The United States of America, are you going to allow this to continue, or are YOU going to take action, NOW?

September 13, 2008

HOWEVER, according to Michigan's family law court system and American media, "Angry Fathers" are those who never bothered taking care of their children when they were married, don't care about their kids now, don't pay their child support, don't deserve to have custody of their kids now, and are those who contest the system for taking away their kids.

Well, they got the last one right, anyway.

Yes. Absolutely. ANGRY FATHERS do indeed exist.

In fact, I am one of them.

I am angry with the Michigan family law court system, and its entourage of others who presume to think they know what is best for my two daughters, and those who make their living off of destroying our families.

I have been termed an ANGRY FATHER, because:

1: I know that I am a loving, capable, and fit parent, who wants to raise my children in the proper manner, as they deserve. I demand to do so, and be left alone by our government so I can.

2: I contest, and fight, the family law court system because they have committed child abuse-on my daughters, and thousands of other sons and daughters in Michigan.

3: The system has violated our guaranteed, fundamental rights, under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The 14th. PROHIBITS a state from doing what they do hundreds of times every day-remove a child from the life and home of a loving, caring, and fit parent. I personally resent this.

4: My personal income, the very source I need to support my children as well as myself is forcibly taken from me on a weekly basis. This paid ransom brings in federal dollars, from Title IV-D, to reward Michigan for removing my daughters from the only safe, stable and secure home they will know as children. These federal dollars are taken from EVERYONE'S paycheck, as social security withholdings. YES-including YOURS!!!

5: I have been reduced to a "visitor" in the lives of my daughters.

6: EVERYONE seems to have a vested interest in deciding when I see my children, how long I see them, if I even see them at all, and even used to determine how I saw them. My daughters and I had to endure "supervised parenting time" for six weeks after the custody fight, in which I had to PAY to see my daughters for a one-hour period.

7: We have a government that routinely turns its head away from us, closes its ears, refuses to listen, refuses to see what is happening, and gives us occasional "lip service" in an attempt to pacify us, withhout any real desire or intent to change the system.

And let's not forget the ones that REALLY PISS OFF THE SYSTEM:

8: I write letters to newspapers, educating the people of Michigan as to the realities of the Michigan family law court system.

9: I take part in rallies, meets, and other events. Some are demonstrations. Some are protests. Others are educational in nature.

10: I write my county commissioners, state elected officials, and federal elected officials, in complaint of what is happening.

11: Finally, I take whatever further action that I, solo, or in agreement with others, determine will be of benefit to the Equal Parenting cause/movement.

But, let's not forget the biggest reasons why some of us are called ANGRY FATHERS. It is because we refuse to roll over, refuse to accept what the FOC and judges do, fight handing our income over to bureaucrats as ransom and extortion money, and we actually and actively stand up for ourselves, our rights as parents, and for our children.

The system does NOT like this.

For those of you who are truly an ANGRY FATHER, in the fight such as myself, I applaud you.

In my humble opinion, if everything that has happened to you and your children since the begginning of your divorce/custody case does NOT make you angry, there is something seriously wrong with you.

September 09, 2008

Divorced, divorcing, unmarried, or separated parents, YOU have an important choice to make!

You can choose to believe the anti-family and anti-father biased rhetoric from Michigan's Friend of the Court and the rest of the family law court system with its judges, attorneys, custody evaluators, psychologists and social workers...

OR...

You can choose to educate yourself as to the truth, facts, and realities of HOW and WHY there MUST be a "non-custodial" parent chosen by the FOC and courts, AND why a child's time with a non-custodial is limited, normally to every-other weekend and a couple of hours one night a week.

Do you know that Michigan, and every other state too, is REWARDED for removing a FIT, WILLING and ABLE parent from the lives of his or her children?

Perhaps you thought your social security taxes went only to retirement and disability funds....

Perhaps you thought that the mother gets physical custody in about 85% of divorce/custody matters in Michigan because of gender bias, or perhaps you really believe what "the system" and todays media says about American fathers.

Perhaps you can get some answers from your attorney, but usually all he or she does is take thousands of your dollars, and you and your children still lose.

You can, and should, contact the parental and family rights organizations listed below. Neither can provide attorneys, or legal advice.

What they can provide, though, is essential information, for YOU to become enlightened and educated as to the truth, facts, and realities of what has, and is, happening to you and your children, and WHY!

August 26, 2008

With a sense of sarcasm Brian Downs, a Michigan Judicial Candidate, does an excellent job explaining to an audience why Michigan needs Equal Parenting. You will be amazed when you see how dramatically child custody determinations vary by county. Michigan children deserve better!Benefits of equal parenting for children.

May 20, 2008

Beyond Incredible! Equal Parenting Cyclist, Co-founder of A Child's Right, DaddyBlogger and Detroit News featured fatherhood blogger Robert Pedersen made the FRONT PAGE of the Detroit News. This front page story with color photo was done by reporter Kim Kozlowski of the Detroit News. This is Michigan's largest newspaper in the state of Michigan with overlapping coverage in Indiana and Ohio. Circulation total is well over 300,000!

The article online also reached such popular demand that Detroit News placed in on their homepage and added additional online resources to the story. They also linked to Robert Pedersen's blog with the Detroit News - he is one of their featured fatherhood bloggers.

The article by reporter Kim Kozlowski is still, after 24 hours in their most popular section on the homepage of the Detroit News. With this success of this article Detroit News also conducted an online survey which is overwhelmingly in favor of shared parenting.

Today Robert Pedersen was also on the Mitch Albom Show which is nationally syndicated and has a massive audience in the state of Michigan. Not only does Mitch have a popular radio show, but he is also author of many books such as Tuesdays with Morrie and is a frequent guest on shows like Oprah and more.

Prior to the Mitch Albom show Robert interviewed on the Dave Jaconette Show out of Kalamazoo. Robert seemed very impressed with Jaconette's interviewing style. We are hoping to get recordings of the interviews.

May 09, 2008

A Child's Right had the pleasure of urging Derek Bailey, MSW and Dance4Equality to attend the hearings for Michigan House Bill 4564. American Indian Shared Parenting Organization, Dance4Equality was present outside of the House Building Office performing their spiritual dance in support of Michigan House Bill 4564. Derek Bailey, Tonia Bailey, Robert Pedersen and myself (Angela) had an excellent time the night before the hearings learning much about the culture of Derek Bailey's tribe which is located in Michigan. We experienced an amazing connection with the couple and are so proud to call them close friends. To see some of the members of Dance4Equality walk into the hearing room was breathtaking to say the least! A Child's Right is proudly affiliated with Dance4Equality.

Derek Bailey, MSW did an outstanding job outlining how shared parenting would positively impact his tribal community. He also did an incredible job explaining his viewpoint as a state of Michigan licensed clinical social worker and MSW. Dance4Equality CLEARLY "put themselves on the map" in Lansing as a leading shared parenting organization in Michigan. There was a tremendous sense of pride by all who supported Michigan House Bill 4564 when Dance4Equality was present.

April 25, 2008

Literally thousands of new and unique visitors will be exposed to the exciting story of the 758 mile Equal Parenting Bike Trek thanks to the world famous blog Instapundit! Instapundit brings more exposure to this event/story than any traditional media source possibly could. This news and political blog averages between 250,000-500,000 visitors a day!! Truly stunning by all comparisons.

Are you one of the few on planet earth that has not heard of Instapundit? You might want to review this summary. Ok...now you see why this is so huge? I actually gave up tracking my visitor count on the main page for the Equal Parenting Bike Trek because there were literally thousands of people viewing it at once.

April 22, 2008

Truly amazing new media buzz over the five fathers that are pedaling 758 miles for their children!!!

Some of the word's top ranked blogs have already covered this event/story. What is even more exciting is that these are blogs that cover different topics; we have fatherhood, cycling, and news blogs covering this event for a good cause. There is much excitement over the upcoming departure event in Lansing Michigan at the Capitol.

April 15, 2008

The blog coverage of the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek has been incredible! Some of the world's top blogs have already covered this amazing event: Instapundit, Protein Wisdom, Dr. Helen, Murdoc Online and many, many more! See the incomplete and always updating list.

Dynamic and experienced speakers will be present to discuss Michigan's family law court systems and how their actions adversely affect Michigan's families and children. Michigan House Bill 4564 (Equal Parenting) and Michigan House Joint Resolution NN (2008) will also be discussed. All Michigan citizens and members of the Michigan media are encouraged to attend.

Featured Speakers Will Include:

Jack Hoogendyk, State Representative(R), District 61, U.S. Senate candidate, 2008.

Rick Jones, State Representative(R), District 71.

Mr. Scott Hudson, Democratic candidate for State House District 43 seat, 2008.

Ms. Carol Rhodes, former Calhoun County Friend of the Court Enforcement Officer. You will not want to miss her speech as she exposes the corruption of Michigan's child custody evaluations and family court systems.

Mr. Lary Holland, Michigan family rights advocate, national expert on Social Security Title IV-D, the financial incentives behind denying children the love, care, guidance and nurturing of both of their fit and willing parents. Host of the popular talk show "Get Off The Bench".

Topics of discussion will include The Equal Parenting Bill, House Bill 4564, House Joint Resolution NN, the proposed "Parental Rights" Constitutional Amendment, and the Barry County Friend of the Court.

We are inviting parents and grandparents to come and learn the truth about Michigan's family law court system.

Learn why children have a fundamental right to be loved, guided, educated and nurtured equally by both fit and willing parents.

Media - Please accept this invitation to participate in the coverage of this incredible community event.

Please show your support and attend this amazing event being held at the Lansing Capitol in Michigan. ALL ARE WELCOME! A large crowd will help energize our cyclists! We already have confirmation of media coverage (TV, Newspaper & Radio) for the departure!

We Need Your Support and Help Now!

Ways you can show your support for this event:

1) Please donate for this amazing event - no amount is too small or too large. It is very expensive to pull off such a large event over 758 miles with 5 cyclists and chase crew. Donating early will allow us to advertise this event, hand out brochures along the route, gas expense for the chase vehicle, a bed to sleep in at night for the cyclists, etc.

2) Blog about this event and link to this page. Blog on MySpace and more! Post on Facebook!

3) Social Bookmark this page on StumbleUpon, Digg!,Del.icio.us, Reddit and more. Digg! and Del.icio.us can be used via the links directly below this page.

4) Email this page to everyone you know and tell them about this wonderful cause for children.